Last week, I urged prayers for the Anglican Church in America (ACA). I had no idea how much prayers were needed. For this week is proving a difficult one, particularly for the ACA House of Bishops.
The ACA is split over whether to cross the Tiber in response to Pope Benedict’s invitation, the Anglicanorum Coetibus. Some most definitely want to swim. But indications are that they are a minority. Most want to remain Anglican, not to be absorbed by Rome.
And that division puts the House of Bishops in a difficult position. It appears that no matter what course is chosen, a number of parishes will, sooner or later, depart the ACA.
And now pressure from outside is making the situation more difficult. The Archbishop of the Traditional Anglican Communion (of which ACA is a member), John Hepworth is hell bent on swimming the Tiber and is not pleased that some ACA bishops have announced they will not be swimming with him. Worse, he has written a hectoring public letter, complete with very thinly veiled threats of discipline. It is hardly the letter of a good shepherd. And he is not the only one giving ACA bishops flack.
Of course, this is not helpful. With the ACA split and with a likely majority not wanting to cross to Rome while the TAC most definitely is, the bishops have some very difficult decisions to make. They do not need high-handed pressure.
Meanwhile, the House of Bishops has issued a statement:
A Unanimous Statement by the ACA House of Bishops after a full morning together of questions and answers with regard to everyone's true intention.
Some of us are prepared to seek entry into an American Ordinariate the moment it exists. Some are not yet ready at this time. None has decided never to seek entry. Those not ready to do so at this time are determined to remain within the TAC/ACA and continue their ministry until the time a final decision can be made.
The House of Bishops of the ACA has not taken any steps in the direction of any other form or plan of union, but will follow scrupulously the process required by the Canons of the ACA and the Concordat of the TAC in that regard.
So it appears the proposal to move toward union with the APA is tabled for now. That is understandable given that the ACA bishops have too much on their table already.
Again, the ACA needs our prayers . . . not flack.
A Texan conservative Anglican -- yes, a square peg -- ponders both churchly and worldly things and enjoys his new church.
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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Michaelmas and Oxbridge
Today is Michaelmas. And that turns my thoughts, not only to angels, but to Oxford and Cambridge. For one thing, the beginning of their first terms comes right after Michaelmas. Hence the name “Michaelmas Term.”
Michaelmas brings back memories of my excitement at the beginning of Oxford’s academic year back in 2007. And of enjoying a wonderful Michael-mass at Little St. Mary’s in Cambridge.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about England and Oxford. Earlier this year, I was thinking of touring in England around this time, visiting York, Durham, and Lincoln, on the way to self-study for a few weeks in Oxford. But, for a number of reasons, I eventually concluded there would be better years for that, perhaps next year.
But I forgot to tell my heart I don’t belong in Oxford about now. In recent weeks, I’ve literally been dreaming of spending a term in Oxford. The Oxford in my dreams of late is quite different than the real Oxford for strange and unfathomable reasons. But the excitement and anticipation of being there is very real.
I’m beginning to ramble. But you can see that Michaelmas is turning my thoughts to Oxford.
Michaelmas brings back memories of my excitement at the beginning of Oxford’s academic year back in 2007. And of enjoying a wonderful Michael-mass at Little St. Mary’s in Cambridge.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about England and Oxford. Earlier this year, I was thinking of touring in England around this time, visiting York, Durham, and Lincoln, on the way to self-study for a few weeks in Oxford. But, for a number of reasons, I eventually concluded there would be better years for that, perhaps next year.
But I forgot to tell my heart I don’t belong in Oxford about now. In recent weeks, I’ve literally been dreaming of spending a term in Oxford. The Oxford in my dreams of late is quite different than the real Oxford for strange and unfathomable reasons. But the excitement and anticipation of being there is very real.
I’m beginning to ramble. But you can see that Michaelmas is turning my thoughts to Oxford.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
FBI Investigating Georgetown Fellow
I have made no secret of my disdain for Georgetown. But what university fellow could possibly be connected to such nefarious activities as to draw the attention of the FBI?
Why, Andy Stern, of course.
The FBI and the U.S. Labor Department are investigating prominent labor leader Andy Stern in their probe of corruption at the Service Employees International Union, according to two people who have been interviewed by federal agents.
The two organized labor officials met with federal agents this summer to answer questions about a six-figure book contract that Stern landed in 2006 and his role in approving money to pay the salary of an SEIU leader in California who allegedly performed no work.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation. The FBI and the Labor Department’s office of inspector general declined to comment for the record.
The disclosure about the federal inquiry of Stern – who abruptly resigned as president of the 2.2-million member SEIU in April – comes just weeks ahead of contentious congressional elections in which the union is spending an estimated $44 million to support its favored Democratic candidates.
The SEIU has been plagued with several financial scandals since 2008, when the Los Angeles Times reported that Tyrone Freeman, head of the union’s largest California local, misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union. The union ousted Freeman and demanded that he return the money. No federal charges have been filed against him, but SEIU spokeswoman Michelle Ringuette said the union has been cooperating with the FBI.
Remember that Georgetown granted this impeccable man a senior research fellowship earlier this year.
How Jesuit.
Why, Andy Stern, of course.
The FBI and the U.S. Labor Department are investigating prominent labor leader Andy Stern in their probe of corruption at the Service Employees International Union, according to two people who have been interviewed by federal agents.
The two organized labor officials met with federal agents this summer to answer questions about a six-figure book contract that Stern landed in 2006 and his role in approving money to pay the salary of an SEIU leader in California who allegedly performed no work.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation. The FBI and the Labor Department’s office of inspector general declined to comment for the record.
The disclosure about the federal inquiry of Stern – who abruptly resigned as president of the 2.2-million member SEIU in April – comes just weeks ahead of contentious congressional elections in which the union is spending an estimated $44 million to support its favored Democratic candidates.
The SEIU has been plagued with several financial scandals since 2008, when the Los Angeles Times reported that Tyrone Freeman, head of the union’s largest California local, misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union. The union ousted Freeman and demanded that he return the money. No federal charges have been filed against him, but SEIU spokeswoman Michelle Ringuette said the union has been cooperating with the FBI.
Remember that Georgetown granted this impeccable man a senior research fellowship earlier this year.
How Jesuit.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Rowan Williams Annoys Everyone
In an already infamous interview with The Times, Rowan Williams manages to annoy just about everyone. Quite an accomplishment. (Speaking of annoying, I no longer read or link to The Times due to their new paywall.)
Now, the headlines have focused on His Grace saying that gay bishops are fine as long as they are celibate. And I will bravely defend him on that.
We all have an orientation to sin. If someone has an orientation to homosexual sin, but refrains from such and has refrained for some years, that no more disqualifies one from any holy orders than an orientation toward being cranky (like myself). So Dr. Williams is correct on this.
But as you can imagine, the libchurch crowd does not think ++Rowan’s pronouncement progressive enough.
Where he does truly annoy everyone is when he takes a pass . . . literally:
Does he still think it’s OK for gay couples to have sex, as he wrote years ago? “That’s what I wrote as a theologian, you know, putting forward a suggestion. That’s not the job I have now,” he tells Dougary.
…
But does the Archbishop hope that one day gay bishops can have partners? “Pass”.
Sorry, ++Rowan. It is a bishop’s job to teach on faith and morals. And you took a pass on that. Therefore, most Anglicans, right and left, say, “Fail!” And in so failing, you have made yourself and your church look silly and spineless.
For some more links and a sample of the annoyance, you may venture here.
Now, the headlines have focused on His Grace saying that gay bishops are fine as long as they are celibate. And I will bravely defend him on that.
We all have an orientation to sin. If someone has an orientation to homosexual sin, but refrains from such and has refrained for some years, that no more disqualifies one from any holy orders than an orientation toward being cranky (like myself). So Dr. Williams is correct on this.
But as you can imagine, the libchurch crowd does not think ++Rowan’s pronouncement progressive enough.
Where he does truly annoy everyone is when he takes a pass . . . literally:
Does he still think it’s OK for gay couples to have sex, as he wrote years ago? “That’s what I wrote as a theologian, you know, putting forward a suggestion. That’s not the job I have now,” he tells Dougary.
…
But does the Archbishop hope that one day gay bishops can have partners? “Pass”.
Sorry, ++Rowan. It is a bishop’s job to teach on faith and morals. And you took a pass on that. Therefore, most Anglicans, right and left, say, “Fail!” And in so failing, you have made yourself and your church look silly and spineless.
For some more links and a sample of the annoyance, you may venture here.
Friday, September 24, 2010
NJ Planned Parenthood Office Closes
Planned Parenthood has announced they are closing an office in Trenton, NJ. Whom can we thank for this good news?
We can and should thank God, of course. But we can also thank Gov. Chris Christie. He defunded Planned Parenthood and successfully vetoed an attempt to restore funding.
I have long thought public funding of Planned Parenthood an outrage. Perhaps budget issues across the nation will provide opportunities to cut that funding drastically. Kudos to Gov. Christie for having the backbone to do so in New Jersey.
Also note how dependant PP is on taxpayer funding. Cut off their public funds, and their offices will close like dominos – amidst much wailing and carrying on, of course.
Hat tip to MCJ.
We can and should thank God, of course. But we can also thank Gov. Chris Christie. He defunded Planned Parenthood and successfully vetoed an attempt to restore funding.
I have long thought public funding of Planned Parenthood an outrage. Perhaps budget issues across the nation will provide opportunities to cut that funding drastically. Kudos to Gov. Christie for having the backbone to do so in New Jersey.
Also note how dependant PP is on taxpayer funding. Cut off their public funds, and their offices will close like dominos – amidst much wailing and carrying on, of course.
Hat tip to MCJ.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Abomination of the Week
Today begins a new feature, the Abomination of the Week. We will focus on *incorrect* or otherwise damnable worship, liturgy, vestments, church architecture or decoration, etc. And if the same makes you laugh or say, er, Worship Teaching Friends, then so much the better.
Speaking of Worship Teaching Friends, the first Abomination of the Week may be found amongst a great many other abominations over at the Bad Vestments blog.
Suggestions for future Abominations of the Week are welcome and encouraged.
Speaking of Worship Teaching Friends, the first Abomination of the Week may be found amongst a great many other abominations over at the Bad Vestments blog.
Suggestions for future Abominations of the Week are welcome and encouraged.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Whither the ACA and APA?
The Anglican Church in America (ACA, and not to be confused with ACNA) has been considering Pope Benedict’s offer of an Ordinariate to Anglicans. And it appears they may instead head in a very direction, of unity with the Anglican Province in America.
A letter from the ACA’s Bishop of the West reveals that he and two other bishops will propose to the ACA House of Bishops later this month intercommunion with the APA with the hope of eventual unity. It would be a reunification as the ACA and APA split roughly twenty years ago.
The letter notes that this move comes after a decided lack of enthusiasm for an Ordinariate. And since the APA is not interested in crossing the Tiber, unity with APA would be a different direction than Rome indeed.
There are nevertheless some in ACA who want unity with Rome. So there may be more difficulties ahead for that jurisdiction. So do join me in praying for them.
As for the APA, I’ve long admired them for their catholic ethos and efforts towards unity with other orthodox Anglicans. I would be glad to see those efforts bear fruit.
The Continuum is following this matter more closely.
A letter from the ACA’s Bishop of the West reveals that he and two other bishops will propose to the ACA House of Bishops later this month intercommunion with the APA with the hope of eventual unity. It would be a reunification as the ACA and APA split roughly twenty years ago.
The letter notes that this move comes after a decided lack of enthusiasm for an Ordinariate. And since the APA is not interested in crossing the Tiber, unity with APA would be a different direction than Rome indeed.
There are nevertheless some in ACA who want unity with Rome. So there may be more difficulties ahead for that jurisdiction. So do join me in praying for them.
As for the APA, I’ve long admired them for their catholic ethos and efforts towards unity with other orthodox Anglicans. I would be glad to see those efforts bear fruit.
The Continuum is following this matter more closely.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Irony of Sore Loser RINOs
In reflecting on what sore losers establishment Republicans are proving themselves to be in this election cycle, I cannot help but notice the irony.
It is establishment Republicans who have preached to conservatives the importance of uniting around Republican nominees, no matter how liberal, and of accepting a variety of viewpoints in a “big tent” GOP. I got an earful of that back in my days as a precinct chair.
And earlier this year, there was much concern that rogue tea partiers would undermine Republicans and enable Democrats by going third party. And I frankly shared that concern.
But now look. Tea party backed candidates who lost in GOP Senate primaries are supporting the winning Republicans, while the likes of Arlen Specter, Charlie Crist and Lisa Murkowski not only do not support the Republican nominee, but go independent or Democrat. These RINOs and their supporters who have preached a unified big tent Republican Party not only confirm that they do not care about Republican values, they reveal they do not care about about the GOP itself. These RINOs only care about their own power.
It’s not for nothing that Sen. Jim DeMint has called out Lisa Murkowski and her ilk as “big tent hypocrite(s)” in a recent fundraising e-mail.
Thus tea partiers are proving themselves to be better and more faithful Republicans than establishment RINOs:
“The tea party activists get involved in Republican primaries, play by the rules, and then the Republican establishment candidate proves that he was never a loyal Republican in the first place and goes rogue. . .”
Who would’ve thunk?
Another interesting theme of this election year is that a sense of entitlement can be an ugly thing. (Perhaps more on that in due time.) Murkowski is a wonderful illustration of that. Appointed by daddy to her Senate seat, she now discards Republicans who dared not see that the seat belongs to her. And the first ad for her write-in campaign barely disguises her contempt for the rest of Alaska’s voters as well.
The sooner we’re rid of her, the better.
It is establishment Republicans who have preached to conservatives the importance of uniting around Republican nominees, no matter how liberal, and of accepting a variety of viewpoints in a “big tent” GOP. I got an earful of that back in my days as a precinct chair.
And earlier this year, there was much concern that rogue tea partiers would undermine Republicans and enable Democrats by going third party. And I frankly shared that concern.
But now look. Tea party backed candidates who lost in GOP Senate primaries are supporting the winning Republicans, while the likes of Arlen Specter, Charlie Crist and Lisa Murkowski not only do not support the Republican nominee, but go independent or Democrat. These RINOs and their supporters who have preached a unified big tent Republican Party not only confirm that they do not care about Republican values, they reveal they do not care about about the GOP itself. These RINOs only care about their own power.
It’s not for nothing that Sen. Jim DeMint has called out Lisa Murkowski and her ilk as “big tent hypocrite(s)” in a recent fundraising e-mail.
Thus tea partiers are proving themselves to be better and more faithful Republicans than establishment RINOs:
“The tea party activists get involved in Republican primaries, play by the rules, and then the Republican establishment candidate proves that he was never a loyal Republican in the first place and goes rogue. . .”
Who would’ve thunk?
Another interesting theme of this election year is that a sense of entitlement can be an ugly thing. (Perhaps more on that in due time.) Murkowski is a wonderful illustration of that. Appointed by daddy to her Senate seat, she now discards Republicans who dared not see that the seat belongs to her. And the first ad for her write-in campaign barely disguises her contempt for the rest of Alaska’s voters as well.
The sooner we’re rid of her, the better.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Video: Obama’s Strange Omission from the Declaration of Independence
Like most of my informed readers, I’ve been aware for several days that Obama excised “by their Creator” from the Declaration of Independence. What I was not aware of until this morning was the strange manner in which he did so. Watch the following video carefully.
Note his blinking and strange expression as he omitted “by their Creator.” This has provoked speculation that the omission was both intentional and spur of the moment. Perhaps, “by their Creator” was on the teleprompter and he skipped it.
I hesitate to join in the speculation. But it is nonetheless disturbing that instead of saying what the Declaration actually says – “by their Creator” – Obama gives us a lot of blinking and a sour expression. Is that Obama’s attitude toward our founding documents?
By the way, Sunday, the Obamas actually went to church . . . an Episcopal Church.
How appropriate.
Note his blinking and strange expression as he omitted “by their Creator.” This has provoked speculation that the omission was both intentional and spur of the moment. Perhaps, “by their Creator” was on the teleprompter and he skipped it.
I hesitate to join in the speculation. But it is nonetheless disturbing that instead of saying what the Declaration actually says – “by their Creator” – Obama gives us a lot of blinking and a sour expression. Is that Obama’s attitude toward our founding documents?
By the way, Sunday, the Obamas actually went to church . . . an Episcopal Church.
How appropriate.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Most Important Development of the Pope’s Visit to the UK
In a very important development, Pope Benedict has met with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and has not deprived her of the throne or put a price on her head.
So relations have improved slightly since Elizabeth I.
Hey, it’s progress.
So relations have improved slightly since Elizabeth I.
Hey, it’s progress.
Harry Reid: Chris Coons is “my pet.”
This is just too good to be true for the O’Donnell campaign. But it is true:
"I'm going to be very honest with you — Chris Coons, everybody knows him in the Democratic caucus. He's my pet. He's my favorite candidate," Reid said.
"Let me tell you about him: A graduate of Yale Divinity School. Yale Law School. A two-time national debate champion. He represents two-thirds of the state now, in an elected capacity. I don't know if you've ever seen him or heard him speak, but he is a dynamic speaker. I don't mean loud or long; he's a communicator. So that's how I feel about Delaware. I've always thought Chris Coons is going to win. I told him that and I tried to get him to run. I'm glad he's running. I just think the world of him. He's my pet."
I live far away in Texas, but I can hear the fun O’Donnell ads being made now. “In November, we can choose someone to represent us . . . or to be Harry Reid’s pet.”
The possibilities are endless.
"I'm going to be very honest with you — Chris Coons, everybody knows him in the Democratic caucus. He's my pet. He's my favorite candidate," Reid said.
"Let me tell you about him: A graduate of Yale Divinity School. Yale Law School. A two-time national debate champion. He represents two-thirds of the state now, in an elected capacity. I don't know if you've ever seen him or heard him speak, but he is a dynamic speaker. I don't mean loud or long; he's a communicator. So that's how I feel about Delaware. I've always thought Chris Coons is going to win. I told him that and I tried to get him to run. I'm glad he's running. I just think the world of him. He's my pet."
I live far away in Texas, but I can hear the fun O’Donnell ads being made now. “In November, we can choose someone to represent us . . . or to be Harry Reid’s pet.”
The possibilities are endless.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fringe Astroturf Tea Partiers With No Popular Support (Win Again) UPDATED
Nancy Pelosi once famously derided tea partiers as not grass roots but “Astroturf” with little popular support. Yet somehow they keep beating the Republican establishment in U. S. Senate races in Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Kentucky, Colorado, Florida, and now Delaware. This year has been RINOgeddon.
And that blows up another myth about the tea party movement, that it is simply a tool of the Republican Party. The National Republican Senatorial Committee openly supported Charlie Crist against Marco Rubio in the Florida primary. And the Republican establishment opposed the likes of Joe Miller, Mike Lee, and especially Christine O’Donnell. Even after her primary victory, establishment Republicans are already undercutting O’Donnell with Karl Rove saying she cannot win in November and with the NRSC withholding money. (By the way, if NRSC head Cornyn doesn’t get a good primary challenge next time around, I might do it myself.) No, the Republican establishment is not happy about what has transpired.
You know it’s funny. Every time the Republican establishment feeds us conservatives sorry candidates, we are told to support the party. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, they are sore losers, refusing to endorse or fund the winning tea party candidate, and even considering a write-in campaign. RINOs sure are sore losers.
And tea partiers are doing the Republican Party and the country a favor by beating these losers. When you really need RINOs to step up and do the right thing, they stab you in the back. Remember Arlen Specter participating in killing Robert Bork’s Supreme Court nomination? I do. Who needs enemies in the camp like that?
But back to my original point – the tea party movement has already succeeded beyond even my expectations. I remember back when it started in Spring ’09. Conservatives, including this conservative, were disheartened. I personally felt under bombardment from Obama on multiple fronts. Day after day, he pressed something new in his Leftist agenda. Stopping the Obama/Pelosi/Reid machine looked like a long shot. And taking Congress from the Democrats in 2010? Yeah, right.
But now look. Those who derided the tea party movement are now the ones who look silly (like my headline). Democrats, and RINOs too, are on the run. A lot of thanks for that should go out to the tea party movement. They began this fight back when hope was fleeting.
The work is far from done. But I do not think it too early to salute them.
UPDATE: NRSC head Cornyn has seen the light (which is a tea party freight train coming right at him) and is supporting and funding O’Donnell.
Funny how he always shows up late to tea parties.
And that blows up another myth about the tea party movement, that it is simply a tool of the Republican Party. The National Republican Senatorial Committee openly supported Charlie Crist against Marco Rubio in the Florida primary. And the Republican establishment opposed the likes of Joe Miller, Mike Lee, and especially Christine O’Donnell. Even after her primary victory, establishment Republicans are already undercutting O’Donnell with Karl Rove saying she cannot win in November and with the NRSC withholding money. (By the way, if NRSC head Cornyn doesn’t get a good primary challenge next time around, I might do it myself.) No, the Republican establishment is not happy about what has transpired.
You know it’s funny. Every time the Republican establishment feeds us conservatives sorry candidates, we are told to support the party. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, they are sore losers, refusing to endorse or fund the winning tea party candidate, and even considering a write-in campaign. RINOs sure are sore losers.
And tea partiers are doing the Republican Party and the country a favor by beating these losers. When you really need RINOs to step up and do the right thing, they stab you in the back. Remember Arlen Specter participating in killing Robert Bork’s Supreme Court nomination? I do. Who needs enemies in the camp like that?
But back to my original point – the tea party movement has already succeeded beyond even my expectations. I remember back when it started in Spring ’09. Conservatives, including this conservative, were disheartened. I personally felt under bombardment from Obama on multiple fronts. Day after day, he pressed something new in his Leftist agenda. Stopping the Obama/Pelosi/Reid machine looked like a long shot. And taking Congress from the Democrats in 2010? Yeah, right.
But now look. Those who derided the tea party movement are now the ones who look silly (like my headline). Democrats, and RINOs too, are on the run. A lot of thanks for that should go out to the tea party movement. They began this fight back when hope was fleeting.
The work is far from done. But I do not think it too early to salute them.
UPDATE: NRSC head Cornyn has seen the light (which is a tea party freight train coming right at him) and is supporting and funding O’Donnell.
Funny how he always shows up late to tea parties.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Obamacare “Gangster Government”
I have in times past written on the Obama regime’s totalitarian streak, and perhaps some readers thought that a stretch. I certainly think not. But even I was aghast to read of a letter of HHS Secretary Sebelius to the president of America’s Health Insurance Plans. Her message to the health insurance industry: Shut up about Obamacare costs and eat those costs . . . or else.
She does not like it that insurers are raising their rates due to costly Obamacare mandates and have the common courtesy to tell their customers why rates are going up. So she has threatened them with exclusion from future fed health insurance pools if they do not shut up about Obamacare costs . . . which would hurt their business to put it mildly. “Nice business you’ve got here. It would be a shame if something happened to it.”
This is nothing less than thuggery to stifle free speech, even in business communications with customers. It is unworthy of America, violates our Constitutional freedoms and may merit an investigation in the next Congress. It is gangster government:
"Congress shall make no law," reads the First Amendment, "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press."
Sebelius' approach is different: "zero tolerance" for dissent.
The threat to use government regulation to destroy or harm someone's business because they disagree with government officials is thuggery. Like the Obama administration's transfer of money from Chrysler bondholders to its political allies in the United Auto Workers, it is a form of gangster government.
If this were not an outrage, it would be funny. The Obama regime is so thin-skinned that it refuses to own the consequences of the Obamacare it worked so hard to pass. Instead, it extorts businessmen to shut up about them, even in the normal process of informing customers why their rates are going up. (And if my insurance rates were going up, I would certainly want to know why.)
If only this were just a funny Mafia movie.
And in case one thinks this attempt to silence speech not typical of the Obama regime, I remind you of a past statement from Our Dear Leader Himself.
MORE: I forgot to mention that Sebelius recently recommended “re-education” on Obamacare. I was amused by her poor choice of words, but did not think it sinister.
Now it is not quite so amusing.
She does not like it that insurers are raising their rates due to costly Obamacare mandates and have the common courtesy to tell their customers why rates are going up. So she has threatened them with exclusion from future fed health insurance pools if they do not shut up about Obamacare costs . . . which would hurt their business to put it mildly. “Nice business you’ve got here. It would be a shame if something happened to it.”
This is nothing less than thuggery to stifle free speech, even in business communications with customers. It is unworthy of America, violates our Constitutional freedoms and may merit an investigation in the next Congress. It is gangster government:
"Congress shall make no law," reads the First Amendment, "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press."
Sebelius' approach is different: "zero tolerance" for dissent.
The threat to use government regulation to destroy or harm someone's business because they disagree with government officials is thuggery. Like the Obama administration's transfer of money from Chrysler bondholders to its political allies in the United Auto Workers, it is a form of gangster government.
If this were not an outrage, it would be funny. The Obama regime is so thin-skinned that it refuses to own the consequences of the Obamacare it worked so hard to pass. Instead, it extorts businessmen to shut up about them, even in the normal process of informing customers why their rates are going up. (And if my insurance rates were going up, I would certainly want to know why.)
If only this were just a funny Mafia movie.
And in case one thinks this attempt to silence speech not typical of the Obama regime, I remind you of a past statement from Our Dear Leader Himself.
MORE: I forgot to mention that Sebelius recently recommended “re-education” on Obamacare. I was amused by her poor choice of words, but did not think it sinister.
Now it is not quite so amusing.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Media Ignores Background of Obama’s Union Goon Trumka
Lately, Obama’s buddy AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka has been out front a lot shilling for Obama and Democrats during this election season. Yesterday, CNBC even made him a guest host during Closing Bell.
So a lot of media attention is being showered on Trumka. But neither CNBC, NBC, or anyone else in the “mainstream” news media is paying much attention to his violent and corrupt background. And that even though violence he encouraged, heck practically ordered, endangered mine workers and killed one.
Consider a multi-state coal miners strike organized by the UMW back in 1993. As union president, Trumka ordered more than 17,000 workers to walk off their jobs. He was determined, among other things, to ensure that nobody would find work in a mine without paying dues or agency fees to the union. He explicitly told strikers to "kick the shit out of" employees and mine operators resisting union demands. UMW enforcers obliged him. They vandalized homes, fires shots at a mine office, and cut power to another mine, temporarily trapping 93 miners underground. Worse yet, a union goon on July 22, 1993 murdered heavy equipment operator Eddie York, a nonunion contractor, shooting him in the back of the head in his pickup truck as he drove past strikers at a Logan County, West Virginia work site; a bunch of goons then proceeded to pelt York's would-be rescuers with rocks. Rather than apologize, Trumka offered the following rationalization: "I'm saying if you strike a match and put your finger in, common sense tells you you're going to burn your finger." In other words, Eddie York had it coming.
And it just wouldn’t be right for a union goon like Trumka to not be involved in a little corruption, too:
Trumka's closet skeletons extend to corruption, specifically, a pair of money-laundering schemes, among a half-dozen totaling $885,000 that helped re-elect Teamsters General President Ron Carey in 1996 over his close rival, James P. Hoffa. That election eventually was invalidated, paving the way for Hoffa's current presidency. The Teamsters had been under federal oversight since 1989, the result of an out-of-court settlement of the Justice Department's civil RICO suit against the scandal-ridden union. In his report disqualifying Carey from office, the union's special election officer, Kenneth Conboy, concluded that Trumka had laundered $150,000 from the union through the AFL-CIO to a political advocacy group, Citizen Action, which in turn routed $100,000 of the money to the Carey campaign. Conboy also concluded Trumka had participated in another illegal arrangement in which he either contributed or solicited $50,000 in order to bankroll the Carey campaign.
Congress took an interest in the Teamsters election campaign. Trumka wasn't very talkative. Though not subpoenaed to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce at an April 30, 1998 hearing, he indicated beforehand that he would have taken the Fifth Amendment had he been called.
Yet Trumka’s is one of Obama’s prime front men in his effort to hold on to power. Is it not newsworthy that Obama chooses a man with such a background?
The same news media that ignored Obama’s radical background back in 2008 thinks not. Why am I not surprised.
So a lot of media attention is being showered on Trumka. But neither CNBC, NBC, or anyone else in the “mainstream” news media is paying much attention to his violent and corrupt background. And that even though violence he encouraged, heck practically ordered, endangered mine workers and killed one.
Consider a multi-state coal miners strike organized by the UMW back in 1993. As union president, Trumka ordered more than 17,000 workers to walk off their jobs. He was determined, among other things, to ensure that nobody would find work in a mine without paying dues or agency fees to the union. He explicitly told strikers to "kick the shit out of" employees and mine operators resisting union demands. UMW enforcers obliged him. They vandalized homes, fires shots at a mine office, and cut power to another mine, temporarily trapping 93 miners underground. Worse yet, a union goon on July 22, 1993 murdered heavy equipment operator Eddie York, a nonunion contractor, shooting him in the back of the head in his pickup truck as he drove past strikers at a Logan County, West Virginia work site; a bunch of goons then proceeded to pelt York's would-be rescuers with rocks. Rather than apologize, Trumka offered the following rationalization: "I'm saying if you strike a match and put your finger in, common sense tells you you're going to burn your finger." In other words, Eddie York had it coming.
And it just wouldn’t be right for a union goon like Trumka to not be involved in a little corruption, too:
Trumka's closet skeletons extend to corruption, specifically, a pair of money-laundering schemes, among a half-dozen totaling $885,000 that helped re-elect Teamsters General President Ron Carey in 1996 over his close rival, James P. Hoffa. That election eventually was invalidated, paving the way for Hoffa's current presidency. The Teamsters had been under federal oversight since 1989, the result of an out-of-court settlement of the Justice Department's civil RICO suit against the scandal-ridden union. In his report disqualifying Carey from office, the union's special election officer, Kenneth Conboy, concluded that Trumka had laundered $150,000 from the union through the AFL-CIO to a political advocacy group, Citizen Action, which in turn routed $100,000 of the money to the Carey campaign. Conboy also concluded Trumka had participated in another illegal arrangement in which he either contributed or solicited $50,000 in order to bankroll the Carey campaign.
Congress took an interest in the Teamsters election campaign. Trumka wasn't very talkative. Though not subpoenaed to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce at an April 30, 1998 hearing, he indicated beforehand that he would have taken the Fifth Amendment had he been called.
Yet Trumka’s is one of Obama’s prime front men in his effort to hold on to power. Is it not newsworthy that Obama chooses a man with such a background?
The same news media that ignored Obama’s radical background back in 2008 thinks not. Why am I not surprised.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Obama, That Great Advocate of “Lean Government”
Back when Bill Clinton was president, I switched channels or turned the sound off when he came on. He always came off as a juvenile delinquent who could tell the most outrageous lies with a straight, but smug face. And it infuriated me off so much, I stopped listening to him for my health’s sake.
But when Obama tells his lies, they are so over the top, he often makes me laugh rather than say unseemly things to the television. I've got to hand it to him - that man can say anything.
A case in point was his big speech yesterday. The whole thing was something of a lie since it was billed as an economic speech. It turned out to be a campaign Republican-smearing stump speech. And it was full of the usual Obama/Democrat themes, complete with comical straw men, scaring on Social Security, and class warfare.
But what made me nearly fall off my chair laughing was the following line:
I believe government should be lean; government should be efficient. I believe government should leave people free to make the choices they think are best for themselves and their families, so long as those choices don’t hurt others.
This from the man who crammed the so-called Stimulus and Obamacare down our throats? This from the president whose budget deficit approaches $1.5 trillion? This from the Dear Leader who is reducing our economic choices through his failure and tax hikes?
Like I said, Obama will say anything. Bill Clinton could portray himself as a paragon of honesty and chastity, and it would not get any more absurd.
By the way, organizers had trouble filling up the venue for Obama’s stand-up routine . . . even on a college campus.
But when Obama tells his lies, they are so over the top, he often makes me laugh rather than say unseemly things to the television. I've got to hand it to him - that man can say anything.
A case in point was his big speech yesterday. The whole thing was something of a lie since it was billed as an economic speech. It turned out to be a campaign Republican-smearing stump speech. And it was full of the usual Obama/Democrat themes, complete with comical straw men, scaring on Social Security, and class warfare.
But what made me nearly fall off my chair laughing was the following line:
I believe government should be lean; government should be efficient. I believe government should leave people free to make the choices they think are best for themselves and their families, so long as those choices don’t hurt others.
This from the man who crammed the so-called Stimulus and Obamacare down our throats? This from the president whose budget deficit approaches $1.5 trillion? This from the Dear Leader who is reducing our economic choices through his failure and tax hikes?
Like I said, Obama will say anything. Bill Clinton could portray himself as a paragon of honesty and chastity, and it would not get any more absurd.
By the way, organizers had trouble filling up the venue for Obama’s stand-up routine . . . even on a college campus.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Chess, Hermine, and an Interesting Weekend
I have not blogged for a few days. So I might as well tell my patient readers why.
I am still recovering from a pleasant but taxing long weekend playing in the Southwest Open chess tournament, the largest non-scholastic tournament to come to my South Texas neighborhood in many years. It was fun seeing my chess friends from both around here and from the Dallas Chess Club where I used to frequent in years past. Among the Dallas Chess Club friends is the current U. S. Open champion, GM Alejandro Ramirez. I am sorry if I appear to name drop, but we are always glad to see each other, and I am excited he is meeting more of his ambitions.
My chess itself was mixed, but encouraging. I started off Friday night by drawing (i.e. tying) Clemente Rendon, who was one of the favorites in my section and is rated almost 300 points higher than I. It was quite a fighting draw, so much so that it was the last game to finish at 12:30am, 4½ hours after it began. Amazingly, I stayed sharp both physically and mentally during the whole game.
My accomplishment became the talk of the tourney. In fact, after Alejandro had clenched first in the top section, he walked over and asked to see that game. I was honored that he chose to analyze the game with me. And he has the heart and humility to take an interest in the games of lesser players.
The rest of my tournament was a mild let down, however. I drew another game, lost one and won one. I gained a few rating points, some confidence, and more knowledge of what to work on. So I’m o. k. with it. But I was hoping for more, especially after a good start.
Two friends, including my rector, played in their first big chess tournament and did very well, which was nice to see. It is also good that now they will more fully understand when I groan about how hard chess tournaments are on me! (Maybe more on that one day, but I do not want to be a bore.)
Adding to the interest of the weekend was an announcement at the beginning of Monday’s play of the formation of Tropical Storm Hermine. I had been following the disturbance for several days. So I knew that it was not expected for it to become more than a lot of rain. Expections were mistaken!
To recap, Hermine actually began in the Pacific, in the Gulf of Tehuanepec. Yes, I had to learn where that was. It crossed Mexico and reformed in the Bay of Campeche. It was expected to hit Mexico again as a depression. But it went further north and strengthened explosively, hitting just south of Brownville at 65 MPH, just short of being a hurricane. A few more hours in the Gulf of Mexico, and it surely would have been a hurricane.
It was interesting watching the storm pass by from the chess room (which was on the top floor of a bayfront hotel – magnificent views!). The wind did increase and became an issue towards the end of the final round as it was creating a strange and distracting whistle in one of the big windows. I was finished, so I helped my fellow competitors by creatively jamming two chairs against the side of the offending window to mute the whistle.
I could go on. But it was indeed an interesting weekend with fighting chess, lots of good friends, and visit from Hermine.
I am still recovering from a pleasant but taxing long weekend playing in the Southwest Open chess tournament, the largest non-scholastic tournament to come to my South Texas neighborhood in many years. It was fun seeing my chess friends from both around here and from the Dallas Chess Club where I used to frequent in years past. Among the Dallas Chess Club friends is the current U. S. Open champion, GM Alejandro Ramirez. I am sorry if I appear to name drop, but we are always glad to see each other, and I am excited he is meeting more of his ambitions.
My chess itself was mixed, but encouraging. I started off Friday night by drawing (i.e. tying) Clemente Rendon, who was one of the favorites in my section and is rated almost 300 points higher than I. It was quite a fighting draw, so much so that it was the last game to finish at 12:30am, 4½ hours after it began. Amazingly, I stayed sharp both physically and mentally during the whole game.
My accomplishment became the talk of the tourney. In fact, after Alejandro had clenched first in the top section, he walked over and asked to see that game. I was honored that he chose to analyze the game with me. And he has the heart and humility to take an interest in the games of lesser players.
The rest of my tournament was a mild let down, however. I drew another game, lost one and won one. I gained a few rating points, some confidence, and more knowledge of what to work on. So I’m o. k. with it. But I was hoping for more, especially after a good start.
Two friends, including my rector, played in their first big chess tournament and did very well, which was nice to see. It is also good that now they will more fully understand when I groan about how hard chess tournaments are on me! (Maybe more on that one day, but I do not want to be a bore.)
Adding to the interest of the weekend was an announcement at the beginning of Monday’s play of the formation of Tropical Storm Hermine. I had been following the disturbance for several days. So I knew that it was not expected for it to become more than a lot of rain. Expections were mistaken!
To recap, Hermine actually began in the Pacific, in the Gulf of Tehuanepec. Yes, I had to learn where that was. It crossed Mexico and reformed in the Bay of Campeche. It was expected to hit Mexico again as a depression. But it went further north and strengthened explosively, hitting just south of Brownville at 65 MPH, just short of being a hurricane. A few more hours in the Gulf of Mexico, and it surely would have been a hurricane.
It was interesting watching the storm pass by from the chess room (which was on the top floor of a bayfront hotel – magnificent views!). The wind did increase and became an issue towards the end of the final round as it was creating a strange and distracting whistle in one of the big windows. I was finished, so I helped my fellow competitors by creatively jamming two chairs against the side of the offending window to mute the whistle.
I could go on. But it was indeed an interesting weekend with fighting chess, lots of good friends, and visit from Hermine.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Outer Banks Spared
God answers prayer.
Hurricane Earl weakened much faster than expected and stayed over 80 miles away from Cape Hatteras. There was some flooding and power outages. But that is just part of life on the Outer Banks. Damage appears to be minimal.
Thanks be to God!
Hurricane Earl weakened much faster than expected and stayed over 80 miles away from Cape Hatteras. There was some flooding and power outages. But that is just part of life on the Outer Banks. Damage appears to be minimal.
Thanks be to God!
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Pray for the Outer Banks
Hurricane Earl is forecast to brush the Outer Banks of North Carolina late tonight. And that has me praying.
The Outer Banks have a special place in my heart and life. I’ve long been drawn by their remote nature. Even a cursory look at a map reveals how far they are from the mainland. The most outer of the Outer Banks are long narrow strips with Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other. You cannot even see the mainland. And long stretches of Hatteras Island especially are protected for the abundance of wild beach and birds.
I still remember my first visit there in my twenties. In part to save money and add adventure, I slept in my sleeping bag in the dunes. Little did I know in those pre-internet days that a tropical depression was to pass through that night. Once I got settled into my bag, it began raining and did not stop until near dawn. I did not sleep well. Thankfully, the day was sunny.
Another visit, the surf was so good and fun to ride with a nice swell coming in that for two days I caught waves until I literally was sick. I wore myself out that much bodyboarding (boogieboarding). Again, the timing of rain was merciful as I recovered while a hard rain gave me a good excuse to rest for most of a day afterwards.
I could go on, but you get the picture. I love the Outer Banks. But part of what I love about them makes them vulnerable to hurricanes. The OB juts out into the Atlantic and is very narrow and low. Really, all you have to do and stand on a dune and see the ocean on one side and the sound on the other. So it doesn’t take much of a tidal surge to overrun the islands, particularly Hatteras Island.
Now it appears unlikely (though still possible) that Earl will make a direct hit on Cape Hatteras. But a large Category 4 hurricane just offshore could inflict serious damage. Needless to say, a more direct hit would be devastating.
So please join me in praying for the Outer Banks.
For more info, here is my favorite weather blog.
The Outer Banks have a special place in my heart and life. I’ve long been drawn by their remote nature. Even a cursory look at a map reveals how far they are from the mainland. The most outer of the Outer Banks are long narrow strips with Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other. You cannot even see the mainland. And long stretches of Hatteras Island especially are protected for the abundance of wild beach and birds.
I still remember my first visit there in my twenties. In part to save money and add adventure, I slept in my sleeping bag in the dunes. Little did I know in those pre-internet days that a tropical depression was to pass through that night. Once I got settled into my bag, it began raining and did not stop until near dawn. I did not sleep well. Thankfully, the day was sunny.
Another visit, the surf was so good and fun to ride with a nice swell coming in that for two days I caught waves until I literally was sick. I wore myself out that much bodyboarding (boogieboarding). Again, the timing of rain was merciful as I recovered while a hard rain gave me a good excuse to rest for most of a day afterwards.
I could go on, but you get the picture. I love the Outer Banks. But part of what I love about them makes them vulnerable to hurricanes. The OB juts out into the Atlantic and is very narrow and low. Really, all you have to do and stand on a dune and see the ocean on one side and the sound on the other. So it doesn’t take much of a tidal surge to overrun the islands, particularly Hatteras Island.
Now it appears unlikely (though still possible) that Earl will make a direct hit on Cape Hatteras. But a large Category 4 hurricane just offshore could inflict serious damage. Needless to say, a more direct hit would be devastating.
So please join me in praying for the Outer Banks.
For more info, here is my favorite weather blog.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
My Jet-set Congressman
My congressman (And I use “my” very loosely.) Democrat Solomon aka “Solobama” Ortiz is quite the traveler, at taxpayer expense, of course.
As the local paper and the Wall Street Journal report, he is among six congressmen being investigated for violating House rules on daily travel cash.
But I find his recent itineraries more interesting. In 2008, he travelled to Colombia, Greece, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, France, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Germany. In 2009, his destinations were Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, Romania, Italy, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. Again, this is at taxpayer expense.
Yet he could not bring himself to come to town and have a real town hall on Obamacare, which he supported.
And this is just the beginning on how he has abused taxpayers. A recent slick flyer from him that had all the appearances of campaign literature had in very small print that it was mailed at taxpayer expense.
This taxpayer says vote him and his ilk OUT.
As the local paper and the Wall Street Journal report, he is among six congressmen being investigated for violating House rules on daily travel cash.
But I find his recent itineraries more interesting. In 2008, he travelled to Colombia, Greece, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, France, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Germany. In 2009, his destinations were Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, Romania, Italy, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. Again, this is at taxpayer expense.
Yet he could not bring himself to come to town and have a real town hall on Obamacare, which he supported.
And this is just the beginning on how he has abused taxpayers. A recent slick flyer from him that had all the appearances of campaign literature had in very small print that it was mailed at taxpayer expense.
This taxpayer says vote him and his ilk OUT.